Steve Harper arrived home from his vacation in the last couple of days, and has talked to the Evening Chronicle today, and as usual Steve is as upbeat as ever.
Steve Harper - returned from vacation and as positive as ever
Steve played magnificently for the team at the end of last season, and seemed particularly good playing for Kevin Keegan again, who initially signed him for the club.
However, he is aware there will be a monumental struggle for the first team goalkeeper jersey next season, with his good pal Shay Given.
Steve had just seen the new fixture list and commented:
“Yes, we have got some tough away games, but we will fancy our chances in the home games.”
“When you’re on a run – good or bad – it’s hard to get out of it, and we’ll go into the season all guns blazing looking to get on a good run.”
“Obviously, Manchester United will be on a high after doing a Premier League and Champions League double last season and we are under no illusions how difficult it will be in the opener at Old Trafford.”
“But Reading went there on the first weekend of last season and got a draw, and you have to play them at some stage.”
“Hopefully, they’ll be Cristiano Ronaldo-less, but we know they’ll still be formidable whatever team they send out.â€
Harper happened to be on the bench when we were taken to the cleaners 6-0 at Old Trafford in January, so the team is well aware of what happened the last time we visited there.
We have never been too successful away to the Red Devils, and we remember the last time we started a season at Old Trafford in August, 2001, under Bobby Robson, we lost 3-1.
That’s when Bobby after the game famously said we were still a year or two behind Manchester.
But Newcastle more than held their own in the first half of the game in January, and it was only the last 45 minutes when we crumbled completely.
Harper added:
“We did all right for 45 minutes last season, but totally capitulated in the second half.”
“We showed in the first half what you have to do, but you’ve got to do it for 90 minutes.â€
Good words from Steve, as usual, and he’s been a great servant of the club over the last 15 years.
One last point the Newcastle United Official Site has been updated and it looks fabulous, so if you haven’t seen it yet - take a look - it’s very impressive.
Also, word that Kevin Keegan is now back from his vacation, and he will be back in the office before the end of the week. 
Comments welcome.
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20 responses so far ↓
1 JMC // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:45
What are we thinking about the new official home page? I cant log onto my account!?
Looks quite cool though…
PS. Obv your site is much much better Ed!
2 staffsmag // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:48
Steve Harper - class does anyone remember the pre-season at Carlisle last year as the two lasses walked behind his goal as he was taking a goal kick. he turned round, checked out their arse’s and then grinned at all the toon fans behind him !!! lol
3 Yorkie Dave // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:49
anyone going to preorder the away kit and go see the valencia game???
4 HeronMag // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:49
Anyone heard of Guy Demel? Apparently he’s chuffed we’re being linked with him???
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3706969,00.html
5 A geordiedoonsooth // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:52
Can’t get onto the new official website just keep getting page with fixtures on it
6 Bucks_mag // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:52
it’s still the same as yesterday on my pc. I can’t enter the site
7 Tom_Toon // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:54
HeronMag - Hes a Arsenal reject, Hamburg benchwarmer. A crap defender and a carthorse.
8 HeronMag // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:58
Another mediocre player being linked then!
9 Davies // Jun 18, 2008 at 15:59
Hopefully the site will reopen with news of 13 new signings (Van Der Vaart, Turan, Arshavin, Zigic, SWP, Emana, Bentley, Dunne, Gomez, Gomis, Aimar, Guthrie and Ashton).
Maybe not though eh?
10 xfer // Jun 18, 2008 at 16:03
Lol Tom_Toon, i think u summed him up there =)
I like the new look of the new official site, but why did they mask Given’s face partially.
P.S. Ed, we would welcome a forum section here.
11 brownrob // Jun 18, 2008 at 16:12
a forum would kill the blog, to be honest and there would be 8776672625633 topics on why havent we signed anyone yet!
12 Bill F SPLASH THE CASH ASH // Jun 18, 2008 at 16:17
If Steve was a Mister Man I reckon he would be Mr Optimistic, with a glass always half full.
Possible quote “Next season will be my season”
As for ManU I would rather beat them with Ronaldo “in” the team, what sort of message would that send out.
13 xfer // Jun 18, 2008 at 16:19
I think there will be a way to do it if it is planned for, like a sticky for all transfer rumours.
Im sure some of us has something to share, but its difficult to relate back to a past article.
Just a suggestion anyway =)
14 rlw // Jun 18, 2008 at 16:38
harps no.1
15 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 16:44
Forums suck, that’s why we come here, isn’t it?..
…imho!..
16 Egar // Jun 18, 2008 at 17:34
Right on, Punk Skunk.
17 Punk Skunk // Jun 18, 2008 at 18:33
Thought so!..Nice one Egar!..
18 cg // Jun 19, 2008 at 7:41
Well someone got itchy fingers after their Flex3 crash course and decided to bloat the official page. Horray! :/
I very much prefer the clean(er) blog. Thanks Ed, don’t clutter this one up
19 Will // Jun 19, 2008 at 8:58
Steve Harper is a legend! Arshavin needs bought really badly!
20 clinta // Jun 19, 2008 at 9:14
‘That’s when Bobby after the game famously said we were still a year or two behind Manchester.’
hmm.. those where the days ey, only two years behind man u, how many years are we behind them now then do you think?
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